Main Chapter: The Bell Exam.
2039 of the Black Lightning Grand Sage, 1st day of the second month of Spring. North-west, Central Plains of the Greater Lands. Qing Ruo Mountain, Education Ring, Qing Ruo Academy. Time: 08:46.
After waiting for their instructor for over half an hour in their classroom. The members of Class 1-A got a message telling them to gather at the academy field.
Noticing their instructor's casual manner as he sat relaxed on the field with his book in his hand. None of them bothered to kick up a fuss and just went about relaxing themselves.
"Sorry, about that guys but I forgot to mention it before."
Seeing that his students were starting to expect this kind of behavior. Mou Lin just gave an unabashed laugh.
"Well putting that aside I have some good news for you guys. Today starts the beginning of your first exam."
As they got in their usual groups. Xuan Yu and Tan Cui, Dai Tian and Fan Hua with Xuan Yi in between. Ming Xie with Seung Do some distance apart. Then finally the Jian and Hou siblings Trio.
Once everyone was comfortable Mou Lin threw a bell to Ming Xie and a second one to Xuan Yu.
"The exam will last for roughly 5 months and for the entirety of it there will be no morning and afternoon classes."
"Seriously, then what are we supposed to be doing."
"Working on your exam results, cultivating or just doing as you please within limits of course. Or if you miss having classes you can summon a class. There are some slips that you will be able to get from pretty much any of the Academy staff. Get enough people to sign it and you can request a teacher to teach your group about any topic you choose.
The slips require 3 members of Class 1-A or 30 members of any of the other classes. So, feel free to learn from new teachers and take some classes with your other friends."
"Sounds like this may be surprisingly fun. But isn't the Academy worried about people just slacking off?"
"One of the secret things being measured in this test is your drive. So, try not to slack off too much otherwise the Academy may discard you."
The discard that Mou Lin was talking about was something they could all guess was something much crueler than a simple expulsion. So, there was a bit of disquiet.
"Sir Lin, will you go over what exactly the exam entails."
"Well, the Bell Exam revolves entirely around possessing those two bells I just gave Xuan Yu and Ming Xie. To gain points toward your exam score you must be in possession of one of the bells. And for the entire duration of the exam. There will be only those two bells.
To gain any points you need to hold the bell for a full minute. Actually passing the exam requires you to hold any one of the bells for a full hour. After passing the exam the points you receive will begin to count towards rewards that the Academy is offering. For those of you who possess any bell for a week or longer will be able to choose any weapon from the Clan's Treasure Hall. And anyone who holds the bell for the entirety of the exam. Will be allowed to pick any mount from the Clan's Beast Hold. There are quite a few rewards between and beneath these but those are what I remember."
Ignoring a sigh that came from some of his students. Mou Lin took on a more serious air.
"By the way in case I did not make it clear. Those two bells will be the only two bells in the entire Academy. Anyone who does not pass the exam will not only be punished but runs the risk of being discarded."
And then his easy-going air returned.
"Well with the scary part over with. Let start the rest of the talk with something a little more fun.
During the exam you are free to spend your time as you wish. Instructors will be on standby to answer pretty much any question you may have. All the facilities of the Academy will be open to you. And thanks to Dai Tian you guys will have access to the Jadeite Room. The location in the Academy with the highest concentration of Qi.
Looks like some of you guys have no clue about it. So, let me explain quickly, jade is the only thing capable of holding Qi. The Jadeite Room is a room with several pieces of Qi-filled jade. And as such is one of the places with the highest concentration of Qi throughout Qing. Cultivating here will be greatly beneficial to you.
Though with the concentration of the room being so high. Long term exposure will damage you since you are still mortal. So, your usage of it will be limited and monitored. Normally, permission to use it is given only as a reward. And Dai Tian requested for Class 1-A's joint usage."
Hearing that Hou Dun and Hou Xiang turned to Dai Tian and gave him a formal bow and a "thank you." Then Lou Jian gave a less casual one. Then Xuan Yi, followed by Fan Hua who hesitated for some time. Ming Xie gave a warm one and a simple one came from Seung Do. Wanting to join in Tan Cui gurgled something but none of her classmates heard her except Xuan Yu, who gave her an odd gaze.
Feeling truly embarrassed Dai Tian hid his face behind his sleeve. That led to some humor at his expense. Once the joking and levity died down a bit, Mou Lin continued.
"There are quite a few places that you 10 have access to that the other students of the Academy do not. So, to prevent anyone from taking a bell and hiding with it. Every student will be handled 1 token every day. Which they can have an instructor pass to a bell holder. A bell holder can only refuse 2 tokens per day and must accept the 3rd or hand over their bell.
While, a challenge token must always be issued for battle. You and the other students should feel free to try and steal the bell from each other or use any tricks you might come up with. Regardless of how you take a bell you will not be punished for it. Of course ganging up on a bell holder or grouping up to protect a bell is something that you will see happening a lot.
Oh, one final detail. There will be members of our Medicine Hall and several of your senior sect members that will be in the Academy. So, feel free to go at each other with killing intent. Whether it be broken bones or near-death injury your seniors will take care of you. Though after being saved you will have to hand over your bell."
"Seriously, your kidding, right?"
Seeing that the rest of his class wasn't that surprised. Though they all had different reactions, like Hou Xiang grimacing and Ming Xie's delight. Lou Jian guessed the Bell Exam was tradition. One he didn't know about because he never thought he would become a cultivator.
"The Bell Exam serves multiple purposes. One of them is to measure your drive another is to figure out your mettle. Once you leave the Academy you will be sent on a variety of Assignments. Many of them will expose you to life-threatening dangers and even more will leave you with injuries. The way you react to future injuries may be the difference between life and death.
I as well as some of the best healers of Qing Ruo including our 3rd Elder will be in the Academy. So, feel free to break a leg."
Mou Lin's smile ended up giving the whole class shivers. Even Fan Hua who was happy her mother would be in the Academy soon was now gloomy.